Oh.“Because I wanted to stop thinking about you.”
I don’t know if it’s the tequila or my brain’s unwillingness to cooperate, but I can’t get it to stop formulating words that I swore I’d never say out loud.
“You were thinking about me?” His fingers lift up to curve around my waist, idly brushing my skin.
“I’m always thinking about you.”
“Did you miss me?” I hear the smile in his voice.
That shuts every loud thought in my head, focusing on three words.
“All the time,” I awkwardly admit. “But I don’t want you to think I’m going to start being clingy. I promise I’m not. You were gone for a while, and it was weird not having you around, so don’t think too much into it. I missed you, but it’s not a big deal, so don’t make it one.”
I look away, hating how my entire body burns at my admittance.
He hooks a finger underneath my chin and tilts my head back, forcing me to look up at him. “You’re a big deal to me, so I’m going to make it one. And I want you to be clingy, just for once,be clingyfor me, Jos.”
I grimace, hoping that hides the blush on my face. “That’s embarrassing. No thank you.”
“Can I be clingy?”
“Aren’t you already?”
He chuckles, cups the side of my neck, and leans down. God, how I missed the sound of that. “Not really but I’ll show you clingy.”
“Oh yay. Just what I wanted,” I reply sarcastically.
“Don’t pretend. Be honest with me. Admit you like me needy,” he gruffly says against my lips. “And while you’re at it, tell me whatever’s happening between us is staying strictlybetween us.”
Blood roars in my ears, and my body is floating as if I were on cloud nine.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Say it,” he demands, not content with my answer.
Everything I say to him, what I do, how I feel, it’s a lot. That’s why I didn’t want to open up, to talk about what we’re doing because it scares me. But what’s the point in denying what we both know is true?
There’s no point in holding back.
“Yes, I like you needy and whatever is happening between us is staying strictly between us. That shouldn’t have been a question. You already take up most of my time; I don’t have it for someone else.” And I don’t want to give it to anyone else.
“Even when I’m not around?” His lips graze mine.
“Even when you’re not around,” I reiterate, pecking his lips because I can’t help myself anymore. “Happy?”
“Always with you.” He eliminates the tiny space between our lips and kisses me hard.
45
JOSEFINE
“You have glitter on your lips.”I lift my finger to the corner of his mouth, rubbing the shimmer away, but it only spreads up to his cheek.
“I don’t care.” He tips his head just slightly to the side and kisses my wrist.
We’re still in the dimly lit hall. There are a few people passing by, couples like us leaning against the walls, making out or talking. I only noticed them once we pulled back to catch our breaths.
We said we were going to head back to where everyone is at, but every time we move, his lips find mine. I’d stop him but I haven’t found the will to let that happen.
